Sri Lanka cricket team’s opener Upul Tharanga was handed a three-month ban from all forms of cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after an inquiry on Friday.

Tharanga was found guilty for violating Article 2.1 of the ICC anti-doping code after proving guilty for using a banned substance during the World Cup 2011.

A urine sample obtained from the southpaw opener after the semi-final match against New Zealand tested positive to have contained metabolites of two banned drugs – Prednisone and Prednisolone.

The inquiry was held at the ICC headquarters in Dubai by an independent anti-doping panel headed by Tim Kerr, Dr Anik Sax and Professor Peter Sever.

The tribunal heard the case via video conference and found Thranaga guilty.

Tharanga’s ban which began on May 9 according to the tribunal will end on August 8, 2011.